Man Convicted of West Ealing Mosque Attack
Poured petrol on elderly worshipper after evening prayers
Mohammed Abbkr. Picture: West Midlands Police
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November 7, 2023
A 29-year-old man has been found guilty of setting fire to two elderly worshippers outside mosques including one attack at the West Ealing Islamic Centre.
Mohammed Abbkr of Gillott Road, Edgbaston engaged both of his victims in conversation before dousing them with petrol.
82-year-old Hashi Odowa was walking on Singapore Road on 27 February earlier this year when approached by Abbkr who claimed to know him. When Mr Odowa said he did not recognise him, this seemed to provoke Abbkr who said, "I swear in the name of Allah, in the name of God, you will know me," before squirting the flammable liquid in a water bottle on him and setting it alight with a cigarette lighter. This left Mr Odowa with severe burns on his hands and face and injuries that have been described as life-changing.
Three weeks later, Abbkr made a similar attack on 70-year-old Mohammed Rayaz outside a mosque in Birmingham which caused injuries that needed a skin graft. Abbkr was detained the following day by police in Birmingham.
The hearing was held in a court in Birmingham and Abbkr is due to appear again on 17 November after the judge has had time to consider psychiatric evidence in support of a proposal to sentence him to a hospital order. A psychiatrist giving evidence during the trial had said that Abbkr was a paranoid schizophrenic.
Abbkr came to the UK from Sudan in 2017 seeking asylum and was granted leave to remain in 2019.
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